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The Nigeria government has chosen to ease lockdown and allow measured economic activities in the face of rising hunger despite a spike in coronavirus cases.
There are now over 1,337 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria with 255 recoveries and 40 deaths. The confirmed figure was less than 100 cases and no more than 10 deaths when government first imposed lockdown inAbuja (FCT), Lagos and Ogun states. Most of Nigeria’s 36 states have either imposed complete lockdown or restrictions in movements of persons and goods in the last five weeks.
But lockdowns appeared not to be halting the spread of coronavirus fueling argument for a relaxion of lockdown and heightening fears hunger and mass protest.
In a national address last night, President Muhammadu Buhari announced new strategies to halt the disease, open the economy gradually, allow movements of people and goods within certain limitations.
With oil revenue practically at zero, government appeared more concern with not letting the economy drift into total chaos, said one observer in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital.
Selected businesses and government offices are expected to gradually beginning from May 4, 2019 while the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 will provide sector specific details and timing guidelines to allow for preparations by governments, businesses and institutions to gradually reopen.
Globally, coronavirus cases are on the rise with the World Health Organisation (WHO) warming grimmer months ahead. There are now over 3.04 million confirmed cases, 894, 000 recovered cases and over 211, 000 deaths.
In spite of this, governments across the world are gradually opening up their economies. China and India have begun to lower restrictions and open up factories while Israel and the United States have announced measures to allow a return to normal economic activities.
Highlights of the new nationwide measures in Nigeria
- Selected businesses and offices can open from 9am to 6pm;
- There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements are will be prohibited during this period except essential services;
- There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travels until further notice;
- There will be partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed to allow for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers; and
- We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions of on social and religious gathers shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens.
- The Presidential Task Force shall provide sector specific details and timing guidelines to allow for preparations by governments, businesses and institutions.
- State Governors may choose to amend adapt and expand based on their unique circumstances provided they maintain alignment with the guidelines issued above on public health and hygiene.
- These revised guidelines will not apply to Kano State. The total lockdown recently announced by the State Government shall remain enforced be enforced for the full duration. The Federal Government shall deploy all the necessary human, material and technical resources to support the State in controlling and containing the pandemic.
